Landsec to pump £2bn into new house building drive

Aaron Morby 3 months ago
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Developer Landsec is ramping up plans to establish a £2bn residential platform by 2030 as it shifts investment focus away from London offices and into large-scale housing schemes in the capital and Manchester.

The redevelopment of the Finchley Road O2 Centre retail park will see £1bn invested in the area to create a major mixed-use urban neighbourhood at the 14 acre site
The redevelopment of the Finchley Road O2 Centre retail park will see £1bn invested in the area to create a major mixed-use urban neighbourhood at the 14 acre site

The property giant is preparing to start on site from late 2026 across a trio of major residential-led projects that will deliver more than 6,000 homes.

At Finchley Road in north London, enabling works and demolition have already been completed for the first phase of a consented 1,800-home scheme. Detailed planning is in place for the first 600 homes, with a variation decision expected later this year.

Landsec’s first major urban housing scheme in London at the O2 centre strip site off Finchley Road

In Manchester, Landsec has restructured its agreement with JV partners at the Mayfield site to unlock the potential for around 1,700 homes. A decision on detailed plans for the first 879 units is also expected in the second half of 2025.

The third key site is in Lewisham, south-east London, where a masterplan covering up to 2,800 homes – including student and co-living accommodation – is awaiting planning sign-off.

Landsec aims to recycle £3bn of capital out of offices and non-core assets to fund the residential push and a further £1bn of retail acquisitions.

Chief executive Mark Allan said: “Our capital allocation decisions from here are about ensuring that the growth outlook for our portfolio in 3-5 years’ time is as positive as it is for our current portfolio today.

“That is why we have set out a clear plan to increase investment in major retail by a further £1bn and establish a £2bn+ residential platform by 2030, to be funded by rotating £3bn of capital out of offices.”

The firm expects gross yields on housing schemes of around 6.5%, with net yields of 4.8–5.5%.

Meanwhile, Landsec has committed £600m to top-tier retail assets including Liverpool ONE and Bluewater over the past year and is targeting another £1bn of investment in prime shopping destinations where yields are currently hitting 7–8%.

Pipeline projects
Project Sq ft ‘000 Start date Planning status
Office-led
Red Lion Court, SE1 250 2026 Consented
Old Broad Street, EC2 290 2026 Consented
Liberty of Southwark, SE1 220 2026 Consented
Hill House, EC4 390 2026 Consented
Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 140 2026 Consented
Nova Place, SW1 60 2027 Design
Timber Square Phase 2, SE1 380 2027 Design
Total 1,730
Residential-led
Mayfield, Manchester 1,800 2026 Consented
Finchley Road, NW3 1,400 2026 Consented
Lewisham, SE13 1,900 2027 Planning application
MediaCity Phase 2, Salford n/m n/m Design
Total 5,100

 

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